HUNT supporters will be hoping to shake off the excesses of Christmas with what many believe will be the last Boxing Day meet before the ban is repealed.

They say support has never been stronger, and a jubilant air will prevail as huge turn-outs are expect across the Westcountry.

But the weather may yet curb the traditional activity. Frost would make it dangerous for both horses and hounds to run, although social events would still take place.

The East Cornwall Hunt has cancelled its Christmas Eve meet because of the forecast. Joint Master and huntsman Graham Higgins said organisers did not want accidents, particularly just before Christmas. But he is hopeful the Boxing Day event will go ahead from the Jamaica Inn at 11am. "By then we have been told it will have thawed out," he said.

Hugh Maund, treasurer of the Dulverton Farmers' Hunt, said around 400 people were expected to show up in Bank Square, Dulverton, at 11am on Boxing Day. He said: "The level of support is higher than at any time in the past ten years. My feeling is that it's because people don't like being told what to do."

The Tetcott Hunt is expecting to draw huge crowds to its meet in Holsworthy Square. Hunt committee chairman Julian Smeeth said: "Without doubt this is the biggest day in the hunting calendar. But this could well be the last year that hunts face the restrictions imposed by the 2004 Hunting Act because a change of Government next year might well see the Act repealed."

Countryside Alliance chief executive Simon Hart said: "Support for hunting this Boxing Day will once again extend way beyond the rural community to include all those many thousands of people who see the Hunting Act for what it really is: a spiteful piece of state bullying and class warfare, which never had anything to do with animal welfare."